Week 19

Week in Review

Monday May 7, 2018

Today was our last day of Toastmasters, and we could not have been any happier. You see, when we started out in Toastmasters, most of us couldn’t bear speaking in front of people. One of our brothers gave a speech and said something similar in nature; it seems like we are on the same page. His words made us think about the journey that we are taking through PEP. The wheels of inspiration started turning and the messages started rising to the top. The one thing that stood out was in order to be the best, you have to look within yourself to define your weaknesses and continually work on them. Now that it has been brought to light, we see Toastmasters in a whole new perspective.

We all give thanks to Toastmasters for inspiring us to be the best that we can be. Speaking in public will no longer be a burden but a strength, especially if we continue to do the hard things. Congratulations brothers, we finally finished Toastmasters.

Robert F. (a.k.a. “Golf Ball”)

Tuesday May 8, 2018

Today we went to the computer class and put the finishing touches on a few things. We are all preparing our pitches for the final competition, using the computer lab for market research as well as the PEP library. We are all very excited, and there is a feeling of gratification and a sense of accomplishment knowing that we have completed the PEP courses, but now the real challenge begins.

A challenge has been issued to all graduates to become Servant-Leaders and help the new class in any way possible. We should do our part in preparing this new class and this program for success and become the best men we can be. The Soldiers of Spring ’18 are ready for this challenge.

Chris C. (a.k.a. “Hanz”)

Wednesday  May 9, 2018

Excitement, joy and happiness filled the PEP classroom this afternoon when all of the Soldiers of Spring ’18 gathered together and put love, time and dedication into creating our personal Coat of Arms. We will have the opportunity to give our loved ones these personal Coat of Arms as gifts on graduation day as a symbol of love and appreciation for all of their support.

During the afternoon class, it was amazing to see Bert S. doing what he does best: being Bert S. by walking around and getting involved, socializing, caring and advising us all. On behalf of all the Soldiers of Spring ‘18, we thank you deeply, Bert. And to all the Soldiers of Spring ’18, thank you very much for this wonderful journey. We are almost there brothers, the start to a new beginning. Hoorah! God bless you all.

David M. Jr. (a.k.a. “Tweety Bird”)

Thursday May 10, 2018

As graduation nears and all of our curriculum is complete, we still have one of many important assignments to work on. First, some people might think that just becaubuese we are done with our tests, chapter assignments and Toastmasters that we would be able to unwind a little bit, but that’s not the case at all. We must move into a Servant-Leader role for all of the new men in the Fall ’18 class. We need to help them study and push them, as well as motivate them by giving them practice tests to work on for the big five tests that are coming up for them in a few weeks.

With that being said, we still have to push ourselves for the Business Plan Competition (BPC) on June 7^th. We must set the standard on how a Servant-Leader acts. We can’t say that we made it and fall back into the frame of mind one might have had before arriving here. This program was designed to change our thinking. Here in PEP, you’re not just another convict, but changed men who have hit rock-bottom and changed everything to become great teachers and leaders for our families.

David W. (a.k.a. “Bobby Hill”)

Friday May 11, 2018

We have been spending a lot of time on our pitches and trying to get them fine-tuned for our BPC event. A lot of guys did really well on Pitch Day, and it motivated us to do our best instead of just trying to get through the presentation.

It feels good to be able to take what we have learned with the combination of Toastmasters and Bert S.’s class and put together a presentation that comes across as professional. We are all very excited to have made it this far and are very much looking forward to graduation.

James B. (a.k.a. “Maxwell House”)

Expressions

“Oh, my friend, it’s not what they take away from you that counts. It’s what you do with what you have left.”

~ Hubert Humphrey

Many of us have endured heartaches, loss and fear of the future. Some of us have even submitted to the pain, allowing it to mold us into shells of our former selves. When we do that, we are giving up. Just because it may seem like we have lost everything, we have to recognize what we still have left. As long as we still have our minds and a heart that beats inside, every one of us has something to work with. If we ever fall into submission, let it be because we are submitting to God’s will. Let’s do what we can to help each other out, because that is something that we still have outside of ourselves. We shouldn’t just worry about what we have lost; we should recognize what we still have left. In the end, we should count our blessings. Furthermore, you always have yourself, and if that is not worth fighting for, then what is?

Alex P. (a.k.a. “Tinky Winky”)